Questions On Lionel MPC Trains

[LS1Heli]

I agree. MPC Lionel was meant to be ran. One of my favorite engines...the 8374 Burlington Northern NW-2 from 1984 which would make it 22 YEARS OLD. This is the first MPC engine to have a PC board and no mechanical E-unit. Silent operation.

TWENTY TWO years later that PC board which was suppose to burnout 5min after I bought it is still working and pulling my MPC refers. Only thing I ever needed to do was replace a slipping traction tire and headlight.

I only purchase the high -end Lionel which runs on AC but one Christmas I did get a DC powered 0-4-0 swicther. Runs fine but just DC powered.

[krapug1]

As has been noted, MPC can be a great choice for operating units.

and just to throw in my 2 cents.

AVOID the early MPC Passenger Cars (Milw., and Pennsy cars), as noted they uncouple
often, and the aren't worth the hassle of trying to fix them.

Also, some mid-range MPC sets in the late 70's and early 80's are DC only. Is the B & O General one of them??. The MPC engines from this era that are DC Only, are just that.
Unlike later MPC and LTI engines that can run on either AC or DC, these engines will burn out if run on AC.

The "James Gang" General Set is one of the mid-range DC Only Sets, the "New Englander" is another, and the Chessie Steam Freight (from 1980) is another.

Happy MPC Hunting.

Ken

[alton6]

MPC locos:

I have 3 powered D&RGW GP7's. A couple of them are flat tired (one has flat tires). The other is a very good runner. Their 3 dummies run (are pulled) fine.

Of the 5 CB&Q SD28's, one is a terrific runner--like new, and nicely lubed by the seller. The other's are growlers and fairly cranky in operation.

A powered SLSF U36B is also noisy and cranky, but the dummy is fine.

The SD9 redecorated (I think) SSW runs nicely, but slows down to a crawl after awhile.

The SW1 (NW2) CB&Q switcher is a trusty unit. It was my first diesel.

My traditional MPC steamers are pretty good considering the price point they were aimed at.

I really like all of the diesel units, especially the Rio Grandes and the Cotton Belt. One of these days I need to start tinkering with them to see if their operation can be improved. And, it probably can. Most were bid on eBay, by guess and by golly, so my experience may be par for the course. Considering their age and the price that most of them were obtained for, I'm not complaining. Auctions are an ADVENTURE, after all.

I would probably buy a lot more MPC diesels if they didn't tower so over the traditional rolling stock they were meant to pull...

Carl

[1688torpedo]

Hello LS1Heli! Most Lionel MPC Trains are very good and worth buying. However, They made certain things that are not very desirable for collectors such as the little Switchers that had plastic frames and shells. They used the #41 Postwar cab on these and they look kind of cheesy as a result and break easily. The Berkshires,2046 -2055 style Hudsons are worth having as they are made like the originals.Ditto for the Scale size Hudsons and Prewar B-6 Switcher from the late 80's- early 90's period. The GP-9s, NW-2, SD-28-40's Are also very desirable and have very good quality as well. So, as you can see there are some very good trains from the period that are worth having.Take care.

[LS1Heli]

Can you please elaborate on some were good and some were not? What was wrong with them?

[alton6]

Buying used MPC power has been a mixed bag for me. Some have been really nice and some not so. I live out west, far from the madding grounds of O gauge commerce, so I have had to acquire things mostly by mail without being able to test the items first.

Most of the them could be tinkered better, of course.

Carl

[dwiemer]

Steel Rails, Have you looked at Williams Trains? They seem to fit the bill of what you are looking for. They have a large list of postwar remakes and very good prices. Also, Williams has a good (pardon the pun), Track record as good running engines. I am seriously looking at the Blue Comet set that they have on special. If you join the club, you get even better deals. Not putting down MPC, but I would give Williams at least a good look for the afformentioned sets. Good Luck,
Dennis

[LS1Heli]

Can't beat that. A genunie Lionel F-3 Santa Fe for $100! MPC in mint shape is fairly easy to come by. Thats because as the postwar prices were going up everyone thought the same was going to happen to MPC. Everyone became a crook bought 10 of everything and was planning on making a quick buck..though it didn't really work out. MPC is the most affordable of all Lionel.

[philo426]

I agree I picked up a Lionel F-3 for a low price on E-bay and was shocked how well it ran after a good cleaning and lubrication.It was a Preamble express that was neglected but not abused in fact the brushes exhibted almost no wear at all.The body was dirty and the horns were missing but this was not a problem because I had re-painted a postwar shell in Santa Fe livery.I painted the MPC f-3 frame and trucks silver and after mating the re-painted body shell with the freshly painted frame I had a Warbonnet F-3 for my around the tree loop for well under $100.00!I got several favorable comments about the engine from visitors who commented on the smooth operation and will look for other MPC engines on E-bay in the future.

[LS1Heli]

I think MPC stuff is great. My favorite Lionel diesel of all time is the MPC GE U36B. The ONLY new engine created during the MPC era. Personally, I would not buy MPC that is not mint. Essentially, all they are is postwar stuff with modern materials and great lettering, paint and graphics. Unfortunately, as technology progresses and modern materials and mfg. methods are used, people see this as a downfall. If you pick up an engine and if it doesn't weigh 500lbs than it must be junk- this the mindset that most collectors have of MPC.

Sometimes they used materials in some areas that they should have- like the gears. However, that does not mean they are junk. When lubed correctly and properly broken in my MPC F-3s run NO worse than my postwar diesels or PWC F-3s from 2005. Actually, I think they run quieter and smoother than any early postwar F-3.

If you do buy something regardless of condition please be sure to clean and lube it CORRECTLY. All moving parts need TLC.

[Anonymous]

Hi steelrails,

I have owned a 1351 B&O Blue boys set from 1985-1989. I sold it. The driving quality of the locomotive was rather poor on 027 curves and on slopes. I do not know why you are interested in this set: for collection purposes perhaps, well this set looks rather plastic. I would personally go for other Lionel stuff for the kind of money necessary to purchase this set (F3 or TM). It has been sold recently on Ebay. Check the price out on finished items, it was rather high.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Model Products Corporation (MPC)-- a division of General Mills. General Mills rescued Lionel from oblivion when the original Lionel Corporation went bankrupt in 1969, and manufactured the trains in several of its divisions until the line was purchased by Richard Kughn, who founded Lionel Trains Incorporated (LTI).

[Anonymous]

I am new to this. Could someone please tell me what MPC stands for?

[eZAK]

Steel rails,

I have MPC for sale!
See my thread at http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=47977&REPLY_ID=527010
Or contact me at [e-mail]

[tjsprague]

A quick search on ebay got the reults listed below. They seem plentiful, so I'd suggest you look around carefully and either purchase or bid from someone who will stand by the condition of the set, avoid the "as is" crowd wheather at ebay or elsewhere.

Good luck and enjoy.

Tim

<http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-8801-Blue-Comet-Set_W0QQitemZ6008967556QQcategoryZ4147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem>

<http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-BROADWAY-LTD-PASSENGER-Trains-8304-Engine-cars_W0QQitemZ6011080120QQcategoryZ4147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem>

<http://cgi.ebay.com/8702-Lionel-Southern-Crescent-Special-Train-5-Cars-NIB_W0QQitemZ6012154302QQcategoryZ4147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem>

<http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-General-Locomotive-Tender-and-Two-Coaches_W0QQitemZ6010435481QQcategoryZ4147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem>

<http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-General-Train-Set-with-Boxes_W0QQitemZ6012149455QQcategoryZ4147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem>

[1688torpedo]

Hello Steelrails! Another terrific place for you to check out would be Joe Gryzobski's Train Shop in Scranton,Pa. He advertises in CTT and has a website. I go to his place everytime I'm in Scranton and he has plenty of MPC brand new in the box and he usually has Trains like the Blue Comet,Broadway Limited,and the General Sets in stock.Also,his prices are very reasonable.Good luck.

[Boxcar Bill]

Hello Steel Rails

I think you will be happy with MPC stuff. I started buying MPC in 1972 and haven't stop yet. When I go to train shows I am always looking for MPC.

LGBF7 The motor trucks can be repaired, not thrown away. I have just finished replaceing the side gears on 8255 Santa Fe Gp-9 that I purchased in 1972. They where so bad that when you stoped it, it would coast for about two feet.

[Anonymous]

If you want a postwar styled GP9 diesel, but with full sound and command, but at a real good price, look for the 2380 GP9's in SP and NYC, very plentiful, have the old Pulmor postwar motor and magnatraction. Plus full sound and command. I just picked up a like new 2380 NYC for under $140 on ebay with its orignal box and all paper work, just a bit of oil on the dry bearings and she runs like a champ. One thing on the MPC era diesels, you have to watch pulling to much with them, they like to strip the main gear inside of the truck and you have to replace the whole truck/motor assembly. I do highly recommend Train City and its auction site choochooauctions.com. I handle all of Charlie's customers repair work on trains. Just have fun, no matter what you buy!! Mike

[Anonymous]

Hey Thanks,

Keep the info coming. I really appriciate it.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Steel Rails! Another place for you to try is the Trading Post Train Shop in Cleveland,Oh. They have quite a bit of M.P.C. and you may be able to find some of what you're looking for there. The phone # is-1-216-661-7300. Good Luck.

[3railguy]

The Milwaukee Road cars are fine if you add weights to them.

[Kooljock1]

The two position reverse unit in my Broadway Limited set had no drum/finger assembly like the standard LIONEL. I remember the first time I opened it up, and said: "...what the hey???".

As far as the junky fixed couplers, I ran mine on "O" Gauge track over both Post and Pre-War manual switches. The cars would separate constantly, to the point where I ended up using rubber bands and toothpicks to hold them all together.

After the roller pick-up on the (very expensive) baggage car dropped into the gap and jammed in the frog of a Pre-War switch, the car stopped VERY short, and the 2046 that was pulling it kept goring. The result was the snapping off the mount shaft for the coupler on the front end of the baggage car.

If given a choice, I'd pick up any of the sets made from the Blue Comet and after. My fave being the Alton Limited, which HAS to be the MOST beautiful set of the MPC era!

I've since replaced my Broadway set with LIONEL, LLC's recently made PRR Baby Madisons, which are made on the same tooling, but have six wheel die cast trucks, overhead lighting, and fully detailed interiors.

Jon [8D]

[Anonymous]

And Hey,


I like non operating couplers, short colorful passenger cars, and all the simple stuff that MPC trains have.

Thats why I am not dying to get my hands on any Scale Trains. To be truthfull, I hate scale trains and everything about them, but then thats just me.

Nope, simple, unrealistic, toylike, and magically fun times under the Christmas tree and on the layout (when I build one) for me.

[Anonymous]

Thanks,

Yes, I am after Postwar Lookalikes, and also trains that are simple, reliable, and are good for operating. So I decided that MPC was and is right for me. Keep the info coming.

P.S. I am (well, my dad and I) are bidding on a set of Blue Comet Passenger Cars, as well as an extra Faye Coach, and a Diner.

We think we have snagged a Broadway Limited Set with the box, track, transformer, and everything in Mint condition.

Keep the info coming. Pictures of these trains on layouts would be nice, but they aren't needed

[lionelsoni]

A drum in a two-position e-unit? I've never seen that.

[palallin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kooljock1

Steel,

Some things you should know about collecting MPC:

1. Up until the Southern Crescent set of 1977 there were no operating couplers on the "Baby Madison" cars. They had plastic "dummy" couplers screwed in the car bodies. These cars would un--couple easily on uneven trackage, and the screw post the coupler attached to would snap right off the frame if therre was too much pressure (ie too many cars) put on it.

2. The Milwaukee Road Baby Madisons were VERY difficult when it came to replacing the light bulbs. You needed to cut plastic with a very sharp knife. This was changed to the tabbed windows method of holding the roof to the frame with the PRR cars of 1974.

3. The 4-4-2 engines used in the Milwaukee, Broadway, Capitol, and various freight sets used an odd throw back e-unit. This unit's design was a LIONEL design that pre-dated LIONEL's take-over of Ives, using a pendulem. It works well, but only has two positions.

Jon [8D]

i) Operating couplers are a luxury on passenger trains: how often does anyone actually switch them? I've run some long consists of those cars without snapping anything off. I rarely had roblems with any uncoupling (though my son's LLC Thomas set was very bad for it). The cars roll VERY well because they have only four whell trucks.

3) The two-position e-unit is not anything like the pre-war pendulum unit. Its mechanics are the same as the three-position but with a different drum and set of contacts.

YMMV.

[ben10ben]

MPC is good if you want postwar look-alikes for running, as they're often quite a bit less expensive than their older counterpart. There are some pretty decent MPC trains out there, some even better, than postwar, but then there's also just as much(if not more) crap that's best to be avoided. MPC doesn't have a whole lot of value unless it's mint, and even then it's not overly expensive. Used pieces are quite a bit less.

[Warburton]

1688torpedo is right: Charlie Siegel at Train City is a good guy to deal with I've done so many times over the years.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Steelrails! Charlie Siegel at Train City in Erie,Pa can probably help you find what you're looking for. Also Try Train Collectors Warehouse as they also have a website and should be able to help you out.Have fun and be patient. You should be able to find what you want.